Which lights would you fit?

HappyHippyDad · Jan 5, 2016

Morning everyone.

I have a customer who would like some lighting underneath her porch. The ceiling of the porch is wooden boards. She initially wanted downlights, however I have found a number of joists in the way so there would be no way of getting the cable from one light to the next without making a mess of the boards as there is no access from above, so I cant see this option being possible. (see pictures of porch)

I took around an LED strip (tape) light for the lady to have a look at but after a while she decided against that, although she did say if that was the only option then she would go for it. She wants the brightness to be somewhere between 'normal and decorative'

She has now asked for cabinet lights (Robus LED Circular, 2W, Satin) to be fitted under there as the cable will be surface mounted. I haven't got any reason not to fit them but it just seems a bit 'out of location' for them. No water is going to get to them so IP is ok. It's just that I think the cables will all look a bit messy, even neatly positioned in trunking or conduit.

Just thought I'd see if you guys have any better suggestions?

Cheers.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Which lights would you fit?

YoungBart · Jan 5, 2016

I'm assuming the joists run the opposite way to the wooden panelling? If so would it be possible to run the cables in trunking or some sort of boxing in, along the wall, then drill up into the boarding and fish the cables across to the lighting location?

HandySparks · Jan 5, 2016

YoungBart said:
...would it be possible to run the cables in trunking or some sort of boxing in, along the wall,...

Or along the outer edge, where there's already white plastic/wood?

Alternatively remove one of the boards, if necessary by cutting off the tongue with a multitool. This may allow the cable to be threaded through the joists. I had to do this at may own place to access the main cable run to the board.

Richard Burns · Jan 5, 2016

A first thought I might tend to go for the intermediate choice of two long LED rigid under cupboard lights extending out from a junction box at the existing light position.
LED undercupboard strip lights do not show the individual LEDs and the light would be bright enough but not too bright.
I would prefer perhaps an IP rated one to reduce the moisture possibility.

Andy78 · Jan 5, 2016

How about led strip in some corner bead type channel round the porch ceiling perimeter ?

telectrix · Jan 5, 2016

take a few tiles off, install cables, refit tiles.

davesparks · Jan 5, 2016

telectrix said:
take a few tiles off, install cables, refit tiles.

A most marvellous suggestion normally, and I was about to say the exact same thing until I saw in the picture that is has a flat roof

uksparks · Jan 5, 2016

Id stick a couple of JCC FGLED10 down lights in there.... For example, see what I did below, really bright, I put a flush PIR in too, this was in wood cladding.

uksparks · Jan 5, 2016

telectrix said:
take a few tiles off, install cables, refit tiles.

Thats exactly what I had to do here, had to pull no end of tiles off, cut felt, then get proper roof plastic stuff to make good the cuts and slot under, that was quite cheap.

These are JCC FGLED6 and 10w over the door.

ruston · Jan 5, 2016

HandySparks said:
Or along the outer edge, where there's already white plastic/wood?

Alternatively remove one of the boards, if necessary by cutting off the tongue with a multitool. This may allow the cable to be threaded through the joists. I had to do this at may own place to access the main cable run to the board.

That is the way I would be looking at for neatness. It may even be possible to get the last board off without cutting.
They had to get it in.

Guest77 · Jan 5, 2016

Jesus what next Steve, get a grip man.

NDG Elecs · Jan 5, 2016

happyhippydad said:
Morning everyone.

I have a customer who would like some lighting underneath her porch. The ceiling of the porch is wooden boards. She initially wanted downlights, however I have found a number of joists in the way so there would be no way of getting the cable from one light to the next without making a mess of the boards as there is no access from above, so I cant see this option being possible. (see pictures of porch)

I took around an LED strip (tape) light for the lady to have a look at but after a while she decided against that, although she did say if that was the only option then she would go for it. She wants the brightness to be somewhere between 'normal and decorative'

She has now asked for cabinet lights (Robus LED Circular, 2W, Satin) to be fitted under there as the cable will be surface mounted. I haven't got any reason not to fit them but it just seems a bit 'out of location' for them. No water is going to get to them so IP is ok. It's just that I think the cables will all look a bit messy, even neatly positioned in trunking or conduit.

Just thought I'd see if you guys have any better suggestions?

Cheers.

View attachment 31101 View attachment 31102

You will very likely be able to see where the joists are from the nails. Could you not core out a 120mm hole from below and fish the cables through. Given the colour of the timber it should be easy enough to make good again. Just the same as spots in a house where there is no access from above. I would use IP rated personally, much prefer sealed units for outside.

If coring out some holes I would do them closer to the fascia board than the brick wall, the making good will probably be slightly less noticeable then in daylight.